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Jaguar Land Rover has just launched the 2013 Range Rover and soon the British marquee will get in the facelift of the Freelander2. The new Freelander 2 now certainly gets better at comfort, convenience and driving pleasure. What makes it look more plush and attractive are some add-ons like sharper exterior design, new derivatives, vibrant colours, upgraded equipment levels, however the engine stays the same.

Exterior design details have been revamped for an integrated and co-ordinated appearance, including more contemporary lights front and rear using the latest LED technology and a new signature graphic in the front running lights. The XS model gains all-new 17-inch alloy wheels and an enhanced body styling pack.

The original Terrain Response® dial has been replaced by switches and a shutter reveals additional storage space. A new ‘Dynamic’ derivative becomes available, which comes in three new interior colours; Ebony, Ivory or Pimento, each with matching stitching and co-ordinated door casings to complete the look.

We started the week by delving into the depths of Ford India’s plans to introduce 8 new products into the growing Indian market by 2015. Joginder singh, who will soon be heading Ford India replacing Michael Boneham stated, “Though the leaders have changed, base plan has not changed. We announced that eight new products will be introduced around the middle of the decade. We are well on track (towards it).”

We also brought to our readers the exciting news that BMW India plans to launch the new BMW X1 by January, 2013 and that this new X1 will be locally produced at BMW India’s Chennai plant. The new X1 will most probably get an engine revision in its petrol model and will have the 320i petrol with 2.0-litre turbo petrol. There is a likelihood that BMW can get the 320i also, as it will be an addition of a new engine option without any additional cost. The 328i has the same engine, but with more power and will be a detuned version for the same block.

Next, we saw some rather interesting images of what may well be the next-generation Honda City, caught on camera in China. While we’re still at a speculative juncture; taking a close look at the images reveals that the overall dimensions of the car have been increased making it look more beefy in addition to a few other cosmetic changes.

We also saw the launch of the eagerly awaited and extremely good looking SUV; the 2013 Range Rover from JLR. The new Range Rover has shed off its old skin and now comes in a rather fresh design. The luxury SUV comes with a price tag of Rs. 1.72 Crore for the base model and Rs. 1.84 Crore for the top end version.

Wait is over for the much awaited 2013 Range Rover launch. The SUV from JLR is set to launch on the 30th of November, 2012. Lets do a quick re-cap of what’s in the new Range Rover.

Starting with the fast paced launch, we see the reason for this is that the Range Rover will be bought to India via the CBU route, meaning a quick launch but a bigger price tag thanks to excise and import duties. However, the price may well be worth it with this particular SUV. JLR has made several changes to the Range Rover for improved performance, safety and comfort. The new Rover will feature a new wheel-base measure that has been increased by 40mm for more space and better drivabilty. Additionally the platform itself has been changed to the lighter D4u platform making the new Range Rover 400kg’s lighter.

In addition to the mechanical changes, we see the Range Rover comes with several asthetic changes as well. The front fascia has been re-vamped with new headlights and fog lamps and a new bumper to boot. The previously rounded fog lamps have given way to sleeker ones and the bumper no longer bulges out but is instead in smooth continuation with the grille.

The interior plays host to a lot of changes as well. JLR claim the Range Rover has been improved in terms of comfort and that is pretty evident where the interiors are concerned. Interior changes include a new re-designed steering wheel with beige-black colour tones at work and this same tone is played at the center console and instrument cluster. The conventional gear stick too has been replaced in favor of a slightly risen gear knob.

Coming to the engine, we see the Range Rover line-up in India comes in 2 options. The first being the 5.0-litre supercharged petrol and the second one is the 4.4-litre TDV8 turbocharged diesel engine. The more powerful petrol mill cranks out an immense 507bhp. The 2013 Range Rover will be priced at Rs. 81.50 lakh for the petrol version and Rs. 94.00 lakh for the diesel. Both prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

Mahindra & Mahindra is said to have topped an offer for Aston Martin from Italian private equity fund Investindustrial.

“There are a lot of moving parts here,” the source told Reuters on Monday, adding that an initial 40 percent stake could rise to 50 percent for a total price unlikely to top $400 million.

Kuwait’s Investment Dar denied on Sunday that it is reviewing rival bids from Mahindra and InvestIndustrial for 50 percent of the UK luxury sports car brand. However, sources said the bidders were wrangling over issues on management control.

Recouping investment

Investment Dar led a group that bought Aston Martin from Ford Motor Co. in 2007 for 479 million pounds, or $925 million at the time. Analysts have said that Investment Dar, which went to the market for a $1 billion debt restructuring last year, hoped to recoup what it had sunk into Aston Martin — meaning a value for the firm of about $1 billion.

InvestIndustrial bid between 200 million and 250 million pounds ($400 million) for a stake, a source had said earlier.

An apparent lack of interest among major carmakers, such as BMW, Daimler or Toyota, may have left the way open for Mahindra and InvestIndustrial, which sold Italy’s Ducati high-end motorcycle brand toAudi earlier this year.

Mahindra owns Korea’s SsangYongSUV maker and is the world’s biggest tractor maker. It has seen India’s Tata Motor do well in buying Jaguar Land Rover four years ago.

Nonetheless, some analysts questioned the logic of linking the Mahindra family to Aston Martin — though the 99-year-old British firm had its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s when it was owned by another tractor man, industrial magnate David Brown from Yorkshire, England, founder of the classic DB model line beloved of James Bond.

“It’s difficult to visualize a tractor and an Aston Martin in the same garage,” said Mads Kaiser, a fund manager with JI India Equity Fund. “The acquisition will broaden their portfolio but doesn’t add anything to their tractor or India portfolio.”